Democrats from around Greater Cincinnati will gather tonight at a series of parties to watch Sen. John Kerry accept the party's presidential nomination.

Twenty convention-watching parties are planned within 25 miles of downtown. Parties are being held in Cincinnati, Blue Ash, Covington, Fort Thomas, Wyoming, Villa Hills, Montgomery, Maineville and Fort Wright, among other places.

One of the largest parties is set for 7 p.m. tonight in the clubhouse at The Bluffs, a Covington apartment complex that sits atop a hill overlooking the Brent Spence Bridge. The host is Ron Cropper, a Covington lawyer active in national Democratic politics.

"I think it's important we come together as Democrats to share our common beliefs, recognize the challenges we face and renew our commitment to changing the direction of our country," Cropper said. "The level of excitement and interest in this campaign is simply astounding."